Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese
Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese pairs tender shell pasta with a rich, ultra-cheesy sauce and a well-seasoned panko topping that bakes up golden and crunchy. It’s a comforting dish with bold cheddar flavor, a hint of savory spice, and a satisfying contrast of creamy and crisp—perfect as a cozy main or a crowd-pleasing side for weeknights or gatherings.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook1 hr 5 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 52 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityPoor
- 32 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 14
- Heart Health
- 61
- Metabolic
- 22
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 24
- Performance
- 25
- General Wellness
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly firm, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- 3
Heat an oven-safe Dutch oven over medium heat. Melt butter and flour together in the hot pot, stirring, until combined; pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly, until the mixture reaches a boil. Keep it boiling, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low; continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
- 4
Gradually fold in the cheeses until melted and smooth. You may raise the heat if needed, but keep stirring whenever the heat is on. Fold in the cooked pasta until it is coated with the cheese.
- 5
Mix panko bread crumbs, salt, garlic salt, black pepper, onion powder, and taco seasoning in a bowl. Sprinkle the macaroni mixture with just enough of the bread crumbs to cover most of the surface; some pasta should still be visible beneath the crumbs.
- 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Turn on the oven's broiler and continue cooking until the crust is golden brown and crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
- Calories 585.91 kcal High 29%
- Protein 20.71 g Good Source 41%
- Carbohydrate 55.55 g 20%
- Total Fat 30.73 g High 39%
- Saturated Fat 18.31 g High 92%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 87.72 mg High 29%
- Sodium 504.89 mg High 22%
- Dietary Fiber 2.4 g Low Source 9%
- Total Sugars 3.72 g --
- Added Sugars 0.02 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 443.04 mg Good Source 34%
- Iron 1.82 mg Moderate 10%
- Potassium 97.36 mg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin A 20.06 mcg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin C 0.07 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.51 mcg Low Source 3%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese is made with 14 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 1 hr 15 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, and Grated Parmesan Cheese. Each serving provides about 585.91 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Grated Parmesan Cheese, Heavy Cream. The full list of 14 is above.
- How long does it take to make Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese?
- About 1 hr 15 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 1 hr 5 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 585.91 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 14 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese healthy?
- Dutch Oven Macaroni and Cheese has an easyChef Pro health score of 32/100. Per serving, it provides 585.91 calories and 20.71 g of protein, or 41% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 504.89 mg (22% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 18.31 g (92% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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